One of the?dilemmas?I’ve encountered since starting to train professional soccer players 4 years ago is resistance by some to in-season strength training. There’s often a disconnect between athletic development and performance on the pitch and this is a sad fact because soccer is a game of inches and milliseconds. If your opponent gets to the ball a fraction of a second before you and makes the play, it’s likely more due to your physical prowess than technical. If the goalie is in the right place but too late…again, likely because of physical limitations. Connect the dots…the day is coming when below average athletic development can no longer be hidden by great skill. Everyone will need to be incredibly fast and strong with amazing stamina. Get on board or get left behind.

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Mike Young

Director of Performance at Athletic Lab

Mike is the Head Fitness Coach for the North Carolina Courage and North Carolina FC. He is also the owner and Director of Performance at Athletic Lab sports performance training center. He previously served as the fitness coach for the Vancouver Whitecaps and Carolina Railhawks. He has a PhD in Biomechanics, an MS in Coaching Science, and a BSS in Exercise Physiology and has coached Olympic and professional athletes in Skeleton, Track & Field, MLS and NASL Soccer, PGA Golf, NFL Football, MLB Baseball and Olympic Weightlifting. He has lectured around the world and authored 2 books and dozens of research and coaching articles.

Latest posts by Mike Young (see all)

• Brilliant Hamstring Injury Observations from Dave Joyce - September 26, 2018
• Sprint exposure for speed enhancement AND injury reduction - April 4, 2018
• Variance in the Soccer Warmup - April 3, 2018